Posted on 03/14/2005 5:38:18 PM PST by Die_Hard Conservative Lady
Police: 4-Year-Old Shoots 2-Year-Old Brother For Throwing Toy
UPDATED: 8:35 am PST March 14, 2005
HOUSTON -- A 2-year-old remained in critical condition Sunday after being shot by his 4-year-old brother, who may not have known the difference between a real and toy gun, police said.
A 4-year-old who may not have known the difference between a real and toy gun shot his 2-year-old brother over the weekend, police say.
Police Sgt. Cameron Grysen said the boys had been arguing at their home in the 5600 block of Gatewood Ave. in southwest Houston at about 4:20 p.m. Saturday when the 2-year-old threw a toy at his brother.
Grysen said the older boy got the loaded gun from a purse in his mother's bedroom and shot his brother once in the temple. The mother thought the boys had returned to their room, but they had instead gone to her room, where the older boy took the loaded gun from her purse.
"He was coherent enough to tell us what happened and said he shot his brother, but to say there's a difference between a toy gun and that gun, he really doesn't understand that it wasn't a toy," Grysen said.
The toddler was being treated at Ben Taub Hospital.
The mother told police she had the .32-caliber automatic to protect her family because of recent neighborhood burglaries. She said Saturday was the one day that she did not secure the weapon.
Officials said the boy is too young to face criminal charges but the mother could be charged.
Child Protective Services spokeswoman Estella Olguin said CPS had never been called to the home before. The agency has placed the older boy with a grandparent.
Authorities said the 4-year-old didn't seem to understand what he had done.
"He's wondering where his brother is, and when his brother's coming back," Grysen said.
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
UPDATED: 8:35 am PST March 14, 2005
HOUSTON -- A 2-year-old remained in critical condition Sunday after being shot by his 4-year-old brother, who may not have known the difference between a real and toy gun, police said.
A 4-year-old who may not have known the difference between a real and toy gun shot his 2-year-old brother over the weekend, police say.
Police Sgt. Cameron Grysen said the boys had been arguing at their home in the 5600 block of Gatewood Ave. in southwest Houston at about 4:20 p.m. Saturday when the 2-year-old threw a toy at his brother.
Grysen said the older boy got the loaded gun from a purse in his mother's bedroom and shot his brother once in the temple. The mother thought the boys had returned to their room, but they had instead gone to her room, where the older boy took the loaded gun from her purse.
"He was coherent enough to tell us what happened and said he shot his brother, but to say there's a difference between a toy gun and that gun, he really doesn't understand that it wasn't a toy," Grysen said.
The toddler was being treated at Ben Taub Hospital.
The mother told police she had the .32-caliber automatic to protect her family because of recent neighborhood burglaries. She said Saturday was the one day that she did not secure the weapon.
Officials said the boy is too young to face criminal charges but the mother could be charged.
Child Protective Services spokeswoman Estella Olguin said CPS had never been called to the home before. The agency has placed the older boy with a grandparent.
Authorities said the 4-year-old didn't seem to understand what he had done.
"He's wondering where his brother is, and when his brother's coming back," Grysen said.
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Oooooooooooops, sorry for double post!
Statistically, There are more young children who have died from drowning in a bucket than from guns.
BUUUTTTT doesn't know the difference between real and fake?
It's disturbing that a 4 year old boy knew how to shoot someone execution style...
I think he probably knew the difference but probably didn't understand what he did to his brother. Kind of like a child pushing another down or hitting him in the head with a toy. They are angry and frustrated and hear "you are going to hurt your brother" but don't really understand how bad hurt can be. JMO. My two little grandsons staying with me right now and I had to weigh the risks and decided to not carry my gun in my purse right now and locked it up.
"She said Saturday was the one day that she did not secure the weapon."
BS.
ButThreeLeftsDo: I agree BS!
Yep. The weapon was in her purse and her 4 year old knew exactly where to find it when the 2 year old threw the toy at him.
The purse is where the weapon ALWAYS was. There was NEVER any securing of the weapon. She never hid the fact that the weapon was in the purse.
I am so angry at the moment.
The mother is an irresponsible f'n idiot!
Oops!
Hard to comment when not enough info is given/shown.
Just damn.
How did the four-year old know that a gun was in his mother's purse? In addition, my mom's purse was something I was never, ever allowed to get into, and I am sure it never contained a handgun, either. This is strange to me.
"In addition, my mom's purse was something I was never, ever allowed to get into.."
Right, me too. That was sacrosanct. Even into adulthood. Who knows what's in there, only the folks on "Lets Make a Deal". Where I should go with my great sack one day.
I also find it hard to believe that a little child like this could even manipulate a real gun correctly, aren't they like, big & heavy?
BTTT
Hear here it all sounds the same. (sp)sorry!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.